I think my incoherent ramblings on this matter are well known, but I'm happy to stick in flag in the sand, for us all to wrestle over.

1. The idea of COIN versus Conventional is not helpful. It's a false dichotomy. There are not many types of conflict. There are two basic different types of opponents. Neither is new, and both are well understood.

2. To be a proper army, you have to have to ability to defeat both Insurgents and Combined Arms Formations, in any terrain and amongst a population. That gives you the capability to do all else. Being good at one should enhance the other. Good is good.

3. Just because it has caused problems in the past, does not mean it should not be addressed, and solved in pretty short order. - because it has been clearly demonstrated to be me, that the men and intellects capable of doing it, are present on this board.